[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for the 
decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold an individual's right 
to keep and bear arms. Today, the Court rightly struck down the ban on 
handguns in the District of Columbia. Throughout my tenure in Congress, 
I have co-sponsored legislation to end this ban, which contradicts the 
Second Amendment rights guaranteed to all Americans by the U.S. 
Constitution.
  In issuing its decree, the Court protected the right of a sportsman 
to have a shotgun in his home and affirmed the right of a homeowner to 
keep a handgun to protect his family and property from intruders. Our 
Founding Fathers fought and died for the individual liberties we all 
enjoy--among them, the right of the citizens of this country to possess 
firearms.
  We are not given the latitude to pick which of those liberties we 
choose to follow or enforce, be it the freedom to speak or the freedom 
to worship. Like those fundamental freedoms, we cannot dismiss or 
dilute the right to keep and bear arms.
  As an avid hunter and strong gun rights advocate, I applaud the Court 
for its decision. I look forward to continuing our work in Congress to 
protect the integrity of the Second Amendment.

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